Gov Soludo Issues Ultimatum to Market, Motor Park Leaders Over Menace of Touts

Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, has issued a stern warning to the leaders of various market unions and motor parks in five local government areas of the state. He threatens to remove them from their positions if they fail to address the issue of touts and miscreants operating within their areas.

The affected local government areas, namely Onitsha North, Onitsha South, Oyi, Ogbaru, and Idemili North, have witnessed a growing menace of touts who harass, intimidate, and exploit innocent traders.

During the official launch of the Anambra Anti-Tout Squad in Onitsha, Governor Soludo expressed his administration’s zero-tolerance policy for leaders who are complacent or collaborate with touts. He voiced his concern over the touts’ activities, which have been detrimental to the local economy and have adversely affected the business environment.

Governor Soludo went on to announce that the current market leaders’ tenures would not be renewed come April 1st next year if the activities of touts persist. He emphasized the need to protect traders and the public from extortion by touts.

Referring to the absence of market leaders during his visit, Governor Soludo inquired, “Where are the market leaders? Mr. President, where are your colleagues in the market?” He firmly stated that their tenures would not be renewed if any touts were found in their markets.

The Governor identified five local government areas where touts are active and explained that some market leaders were using these touts to collect money from petty traders who were initially exempt from taxes and levies.

He also recalled the historical significance of Onitsha as a bustling trading hub, expressing concern that the touts’ activities had significantly impacted the local economy.

Commissioner for Homeland Matters, Chief Chikodi Anarah, issued a warning to all touts in Anambra State, instructing them to leave the state immediately, as the government would not hesitate to take legal action against them. He emphasized that the operations of the Anti-Tout Squad would continue until the touts had entirely vacated the state, and anyone found without a legitimate and visible source of income in the parks would face the full force of the law.

Mr. Emeka Orji, Chairman of Onitsha South local government area, representing the five council chairmen, pledged their commitment to working with the new outfit to eradicate touting in the area. He noted that they had been battling with touts previously and that their efforts were yielding positive results.